Pond Contractor Services in Wayne, PA

Set in Wayne, PA a husband and wife were looking for a pond contractor who could help them with their problem.

Simone and Michael reached out to us after seeing our name while doing a Google search.

before Wayne. PA Pond Contractor

Pond Contractor to the rescue!

Michael had been building a pond for quite a few years, but he never got around to finishing it. It was a large pond– about 10 x 25. There was a non working waterfall as part of the design. Simone and Michael have a great view of the waterfall from their house and they were tired of looking at a nonworking water feature.

The first step during this project was to establish the size and depth of pond. Michael wanted the pond dug from 24 inches to 35 inches, to accommodate some larger fish.

Michael had been using cinder block to retain the soil, which was quite a project to work around! We did though, and instead of using cinder blocks, we used dry laid boulders, covering up all the cinder blocks along the way.

Pond Renovation: Step 2

After that, the AquaReale team laid underlayment. doubling up in some spots due to the cinder blocks. The team did 3/4 of the pond first and then the waterfall.

The biofalls box is located about 9 feet up in the waterfall. This is the main filter box. Then above that is another 20 feet of stream and a second waterfall. This waterfall spillway is at the top of this side, about 17 feet up. There are two pumps: one for the waterfall spillway and one for the biofalls. Michael can change the flow of the pond, and can also turn off higher waterfall when they leave town for a longer period of time. This saves energy and water evaporation.

According to Matt Reale, the most challenging part of the job was the tight space between the house and the pond. Also, our machine only has limited reach, so we had to bring the rocks up by hand. Going 17 vertical feet above the patio with rocks makes it quite a challenge to get up and down the hill without slipping or dropping rocks.

after Wayne, PA pond contractor

In addition to two stunning waterfalls, there is an extremely large viewing stone in the pond, making for a great fish cave (a place for the fish to hide from sun and predators.)

A common bond…

A woman named Sheryl saw the article and it resonated with her. Her husband had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, like Laura’s mother and had died a few years back. The pond had been his baby. It stopped working a few years ago and Sherry didn’t know what to do. She tried a few times to find a company that could handle a South Jersey pond renovation, but it still leaked in the same spots. She was tired of looking at it, as it was located right on her front lawn. Then she read the article and thought, this might be a good fit!

A South Jersey Pond Renovation

When AquaReale co-owner Matt Reale went to look a the pond he knew right away that he needed to help make this a happy memory again for Sheryl. Based on a number of factors, Matt and Sheryl decided to basically do a complete pond renovation, instead of trying to fix old, outdated equipment that was not working well.

Matt and his team took out all the mismatched pieces and replaced them with a brand new Aquascape system, including a new liner, skimmer, Biofalls, pump, fieldstone boulders and pipe.#

South Jersey Pond Renovation After

A South Jersey Pond Renovation Results

“The best part of the whole job for me was seeing how happy Sheryl was to see her pond up and functioning once again. We used a PA fieldstone boulder with moss on it for the stream and that was one of her favorite parts of the whole pond, ” said Matt .

The pond is now a beautiful 11 x 16 pond with a stream that is the centerpiece of Sheryl’s’ front lawn, a view that now fills her with happiness and memories on a daily basis.

What is a Koi Pond?

A koi pond is a water feature which is designed to house koi, otherwise known as carp. Koi have selectively bred for centuries to achieve very large sizes and distinct patterns of white, black, gold, red, and orange on their bodies. Koi ponds are used as aesthetic features in gardens, atria, and other locations, and many people use them to add an Asian look and feel to their gardens.

What make a koi pond versus a traditional pond?

Some special features differentiate a koi pond from an ordinary garden pool or a pool filled with aquatic plants, because the pond is designed to house fish, and the fish have special needs.

While koi prefer dirty, muddy water and dense foliage, people usually like to look at them, so the pond may be equipped with a filtration system to keep the water clear, and the aquatic plants in the pond will be carefully managed. The pond also needs to be properly oxygenated to keep the fish healthy, and it may need to be fenced or covered with a screen to deter predators.

What do koi eat?

Koi enjoy eating plants, and when planning a koi pond, people generally select foliage that is safe for the fish to eat. Lilies are especially popular for koi ponds, although other types of plants may be used as well. Stocking must also be done with care, as larger koi will cheerfully eat smaller fish or each other, and the fish require regular feeding and inspections to check for general health.

Where do you put a koi pond?

Many gardeners design a koi pond as a focal feature of a garden, and they may include seating around the pond or devise garden paths which all eventually lead to the koi pond.

Some koi ponds come complete with little islands, bridges, and similar features, and the pond is often designed to encourage people to linger and contemplate the colorful fish. Gardeners who like to meditate may construct a meditation platform near a koi pond, so that they can relax and clear their minds to the sounds of splashing water.

Gardeners who have not worked with koi before may want to consider hiring a professional to install a koi pond and establish the fish.

What is a Philadelphia water garden?

A water garden is a man-made water feature, typically a pool or pond, which is designed to complement the natural environment. Water gardens typically incorporate aquatic plants, ornamental fish, statuary, water falls, and other decorations. They can be found in residential backyards, courtyards, and parks, to compliment the landscaping, and as an enhancement in existing gardens.

There are several different types of Philadelphia water gardens, including container gardens, raised and sunken ponds, and bog gardens. A container water garden is typically small and easy to care for, and can be placed on a patio or balcony with ease.

Raised and sunken ponds are built directly into the ground, and require more maintenance than other types of water gardens. Bog gardens are the most natural of the three, and are designed to attract wildlife. They are generally dug into the ground, lined with plastic, and filled with native plants and fish.

What are water gardens for?

Although a water garden’s primary focus is on plants, they can house fish as well.

How big is a water garden?

They can be almost any size or depth, they are typically small and relatively shallow, generally less than 24 inches deep. This is because most aquatic plants are depth sensitive and require a specific water depth in order to thrive.

Why a water garden?

A water garden is an aquaculture system – a diverse aquatic ecosystem, one of the most productive and efficient systems around. In an aquaculture system, aquatic plants have a constant supply of water that has nutrients dissolved in it, which they can easily take up. The waste from fish and other animals in the system provide additional nutrient to the plants, making for a very efficient and productive system.

What do I need in my water garden?

Plants are an important part . They add life to the feature, and create a natural ecosystem, which promotes the health of the fish. A well stocked water garden will include several different types of plants and fish. The plants may be submerged, marginal, or floating varieties. It is recommended that a combination of these plant types be used to keep the water garden in optimal health.

What is a pondless waterfall?#

Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond.

The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless!

The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless® Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.#

pondless waterfall build

Working much like a regular waterfall, this variety directs the cascading water into a deep rock- and- gravel-filled hole where the water collects and is pumped back up to the top of the fall. Because there is no pool of water, a waterfall is a great option if you’re concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond.

A waterfall is less costly than a pond to build and operate, and its size enables you to place one almost anywhere in your yard. And maintenance couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is fill the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss caused by evaporation. Pondless waterfalls can also be part of a RainXChange™ Rainwater Harvest System.

If you are looking for the most convenient way to bring the soothing sounds of falling water into your life, it doesn’t get any simpler than a Pondless® Waterfall.

What do you feed and care for a Koi fish?#

koi fish

With a good balance of plants, you should only need to feed Koi for your enjoyment and to attract the fish closer.Without plants in the pond, Koi fish are dependent on you to provide them. Plants provide them shade and hiding spots from predators as well as food.#

koi fish

How often can you feed Koi fish?

If you decide to feed your fish, do so up to twice per week. Fish do not know the feeling of “fullness” and will eat until they die. Koi fish can become overweight, which can cause health problems or death. When you do feed your fish, don’t give them much more than a handful at a time. You may even find most of this food in the skimmer unit – don’t worry, your fish are getting plenty. If there are plants in the pond, they don’t need much food at all. They will get used to you feeding them and may eventually eat out of your hand!

If you want to purchase koi fish, Quality Koi Company one of the best koi companies in the world is located right here in South Jersey!

When do I feed them?

Make sure to only feed your Koi fish during the warm parts of the year, when fish are active. Once the weather gets too cold, the fish slow down their bodies, starting a type of hibernation. Once the water temperature reaches about 50 degrees, stop feeding your fish entirely. Koi fish will continue to eat, though they cannot properly digest the food in this environment. The food will cause decay, and the fish will die.#

koi fish

What if I don’t have or want plants?

If you really don’t want plants, you can feed the fish once a day, but NOT in the winter. Even without plants, feeding in the colder weather can cause Koi fish to die.#

Many people question the difference between pond renovations vs. pond repair. though they sound similar, renovation requires much deeper intervention. Repairing something means fixing or replacing a small part that is broken or malfunctioning – renovation is a complete overhaul and redo, resulting in a practically brand new end product.

A pond is no exception to these terms of home improvement– take a look at the before and after of this pond renovation!

Pond Repair

When a pond leaks, you have the option to make repairs or completely renovate the pond – these options depend heavily on the extent of the problems. If the causes don’t inherently interfere with the structure of the pond or the health of the pond wildlife, you can likely troubleshoot and fix the specific issue. Problems that can be repaired include holes that leak or the liner detaching from the skimmer or biofalls, just to name some things that are more common. The possibilities are endless – without the guaranteed standards of a Certified Aquascape Contractor, there’s no telling what happened during construction. If the leak is caused by a hole in the liner, it can sometimes be patched. A broken pipe means you need to replace the pipe. Repairs are self-explanatory.

The most difficult part of even the simplest pond repairs is identifying the problem in the first place. We usually hear,“why is my pond leaking?” This opens a variety of potential causes, which can be narrowed through a few key tests.#

Walk around pond, checking for visible wet spots for possible leaks. A simple issue could be a low liner, allowing for a water to flow over the edge.#

Fill up the pond and determine the water level#

Turn off the pump and come back 24 hours later to check for a change in water level.

If the water level is unchanged, the problem arises somewhere in the pipe or filter.

If the water level has decreased, the problem lies somewhere in the pond or skimmer.

If none of these are the causes, your issue lies somewhere in the pond or stream and a renovation is likely the best solution.

Pond Renovation

Renovation is considered a complete pond replacement. This means we remove the pond and replacing all parts. This is the perfect opportunity to change anything you didn’t like, and address any issues, even minor ones – you could add more tunnels for fish, install lighting, and use more plants to encourage a healthy ecosystem. You could increase or decrease the size of the pond, or add an additional or larger waterfall or other feature.

Many pond renovations we encounter come from homeowners who had a landscaping company come in and build a pond, or new homeowners who don’t know their pond’s history. Renovations can seem daunting, but are a great opportunity to save time and energy that will be spent making temporary repairs on a flawed or dissatisfying pond design.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT: Situation and Solution

Our house has always had water issues, with the roof, gutters, everything. We got everything pretty much under control. but the rain water was still pooling on our front lawn.

AquaReale decided to do a stormwater solution that also looked great. The water comes down from our front roof, so we put a pipe underground which takes the water down to the front of our house.

We have a 500 gallon reservoir there , topped by a pondless waterfall. The water recycles through the pondless waterfall , leaving us with a beautiful waterfall with our rain water stored underneath! Here’s a night photo with the lighting around it.

Let’s see what we can do to fix YOUR stormwater issues!

Fall is the best time to address many stormwater issues. It’s easier to see problems and determine solutions when the ground is bare.

Underwater life continues to be exciting and mysterious no matter how old you are – just think how exciting a visit to the aquarium is, even as an adult, and consider investing in a Koi camera for your pond.

As a pond owner, there is no doubt that water and aquatic life interests and inspires you – so why not get a closer look?

With underwater cameras, you can get an up close and personal look into the day-to-day life in your pond, including koi fish, frogs and turtles – even if you don’t have gills! These cameras are great for fish aficionados (say that five times fast), kids and everyone in between. Warning: Watching your very own underwater world can be addicting!

Take a look at a recording of a pond owner’s cool Koi camera to see for yourself:

For more information about Koi cameras and other pond accessories, visit us at www.aquareale.com or contact us at (215) 880-6811.

Pondless waterfalls provide the same relaxing melodies and attractive appearance as a traditional waterfall with a pond, using a fraction of the space and with much less hassle. Because there is no pool of water, there are also no safety issues that are associated with a traditional pond.

Working much like a regular waterfall, the pondless variety directs the cascading water into a deep rock-and-gravel filled hole where the water collects and is pumped back up to the top of the fall. A pondless waterfall is less costly than a pond to build and operate, and its size enables you to place one almost anywhere in your yard.

Maintenance could not be easier. All you need to do is fill the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss caused by evaporation. Pondless waterfalls can also be part of a RainXChange(tm) Rainwater Harvest System, which only adds to the benefits of a pondless waterfall. Capturing rainwater to operate the water feature creates true self-sustainability, drastically reducing the need for chemically-treated traditional water sources. A pondless waterfall which has been properly incorporated into such a system can also increase property value by as a beautiful addition to your yard.

The greatest thing about a pondless waterfall for many people may be that they can be made to fit in any size yard. They are a low maintenance, low cost water feature.